Title: Integrating ISO 9001:2000 and Six Sigma into organisational culture

Authors: Shirley M.C. Yeung

Addresses: Asia International Open University, Macau, 1401, 14/Fl., West Tower, Shun Tak Centre, 168–200 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong

Abstract: This research is a descriptive one, in which elements of school culture have been determined from statistical results of a school culture questionnaire of two ISO-certified secondary schools in Hong Kong. The cultural elements – |realising responsibility and feeling respect| – actually correspond to the ISO 9001:2000 requirements. Besides this, the author has combined comments from interviewees of ISO-related stakeholders into the target areas for improvement based on the concept of Quality Function Deployment (QFD), internally to improve organisational culture and mindset; externally to hear the voice of internal customers and to enhance competitiveness; and consequently, to increase student satisfaction and to provide better educational service. This is a kind of social responsibility of educational institutes. It is recommended to have more ISO-certified educational institutes of different levels and from different countries participating in future researches on applications of ISO, Six Sigma and TQM to organisational culture, curriculum design, and student or teacher assessment.

Keywords: internal customers; International Organization for Standardization; ISO 9001; quality function deployment; QFD; realising responsibility; respect; school culture; six sigma; social responsibility; total quality management; TQM; organisational culture; Hong Kong; secondary schools; secondary education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2007.015066

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2007 Vol.3 No.3, pp.210 - 227

Published online: 09 Sep 2007 *

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